Latest news with #LaytonWilliams
Daily Mail
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Layton Williams breaks down in tears learning 'awful' truth about his enslaved ancestors on BBC's Who Do You Think You Are?
Layton Williams broke down in tears after learning the 'awful' truth about his enslaved ancestors on Monday's episode of Who Do You Think You Are? The actor, 30 - who took part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2023 - appeared on the latest episode of the much-loved BBC show. Layton decided to take part in the genealogy programme because he was keen to find out more about his family history. He grew up in Bury, Manchester, with his mum and three siblings, but his dad - who was born in Bury - also has Jamaican roots, and wanted to find out more. During his time on Who Do You Think You Are?, Layton found out that some of his family members were involved in slavery. Speaking about what he found out at the end of the instalment, Layton said: 'I'm feeling a mixture of feelings, like a bag of feelings. The actor, 30 - who took part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2023 - appeared on the latest episode of the much-loved BBC show 'When you're a person of colour, you always know that is probably the eventuality. But when you actually have it all spelt out to you that your family would have, you know, been enslaved, quite frankly... 'To actually think about it and to really know their names, and know that they were children growing up in it, there's so much black power in that. 'And I don't think I've been like, really, really proud of being, like, a person of colour. 'And really, like leaning into "I'm a beautiful black man and I'm proud to have come from people who went through that, but kind of came through the other side..." 'Now I'm going to cry.' Fighting back the tears, Layton continued: 'It's really, it's really beautiful and it's important that we don't' forget because it's real and it happened, and it was sad. 'And I'm sure it was awful, but we made it here. And my family is like, actually, they're bonkers. 'But they're amazing. And there's so many of us. 'And I really, really hope that whatever they went through, like we were kind of worth it, you know?' 'So yeah, I will look back at this experience for sure and be really happy. 'I'm really proud of the family that came before me.' This series has already aired some very emotional scenes. Last week Ross Kemp broke down as he unearthed a family secret that he spent his whole life questioning. The actor, 60, found out that his great-grandad, who was known in the clan as Pop, who had 10 other siblings and lived in a pub in Portsmouth as a youngster. Ross recalled a moment that his mum had told him that her dad had turned up at the door wearing a US uniform, and everyone assumed that he had been shipwrecked in the southern China sea, but the soap star found out exactly what had happened to him. The voice over explained: 'On 11 July 1943 Pops troop ship the Duchess of York and her convoy were over 300 miles off the Portuguese coast when three German air force planes took off from France and headed towards them.' Ross met up with historian Sarah Louise Miller and she told him that the ship was hit twice, her engines were put out of order and she ended up catching fire. As Louise explained what had happened, Ross became very emotional and wiped a tear from his face and she said although they were off the ship, they still weren't safe. Ross told Louise: 'Sorry I'm getting emotional.' 'It would have been a very scary situation,' she told him. As his voice cracked, Ross asked: 'But he survived, yeah?' Louise replied: 'He did survive.'
The Independent
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Layton Williams breaks down at discovering family connection to slavery
Actor and Strictly Come Dancing contestant Layton Williams was moved to tears during an episode of the genealogy series Who Do You Think You Are? as he uncovered a personal connection to the history of slavery in his family. The 30-year-old Bad Education star discovered that his ancestors, who had been enslaved, were forcibly taken from Africa to Jamaica. Reflecting on the revelation, Williams became emotional. "There's so much Black power in that and I don't think, I've been really, really proud of being a person of colour and really leaning into 'I'm a beautiful Black man and I'm proud to have come from people who went through that and came through the other side'. Now I'm going to cry,' he said.
Metro
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Layton Williams breaks down on Who Do You Think You Are after slavery revelation
Layton Williams broke down in tears on the most recent episode of the genealogy series, Who Do You Think You Are?, as he learned about his enslaved ancestors. The actor and theatre star, 30, was the latest star to appear on the beloved ancestry show to learn about his family tree, which originated from London and Jamaica. Layton cried at the end of the episode, after learning about his ancestors who were enslaved, with some forcibly moved from Africa to Jamaica. 'I'm proud to have come from people who went through that, but came through the other side,' he said through tears. 'It's really beautiful and it's important that we don't forget, because it's real and it happened and it was sad, and I'm sure it was awful, but we've made it here. 'I will look back at this experience for sure and be really happy and really proud of the family that came before me.' The episode began in Bury, where Layton grew up with his mother and more immediate family, and he then travelled to London to learn more about his maternal side of the family. In the final part of the episode, the actor travelled to Porus, Jamaica, where he learned about his father's side and his grandparents Clarence and Berneta Williams, who moved to Britain from Jamaica. He learned that his great-great-grandmother, Ellen, was a washerwoman who built a better life for her family after her father, Alexander Denton, was born into slavery in 1825. It was revealed that Alexander's mother, Jessie, was born in Africa but was forcibly taken to Jamaica. When slavery was abolished, Porus became a free village where former slaves could own their own land. More Trending This struck home for Layton, who said that his family had always emphasised the importance of home ownership, and he believes this could have been why. Many viewers were impacted by the episode and took to social media to share their reactions to the episode. 'Really moving #WDYTYA with @LaytonWilliams. There was such a sense of all the different influences that helped make him who he is,' said Aspirantdiva on X. 'Well done to the researchers for finding this link between Layton's ancestor in Soho and the Stodart Piano Company. What a wonderful musical connection for this theatre star. WDYTYA,' said emmajolly. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. View More » MORE: EastEnders exploring 'uncharted territory' as exciting future under new boss is revealed MORE: BBC fans celebrate after 'best crime drama in years' confirms season 2 MORE: Doctor Who just made best move ever resurrecting its most controversial story
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Layton Williams makes emotional slavery discovery in Who Do You Think You Are?
Layton Williams faces an emotional journey into his family's history of slavery in his episode of Who Do You Think You Are?. The Olivier-Award-winning West End star and Strictly Come Dancing runner-up will be seen travelling to Jamaica in the BBC One genealogy series to explore his father's side of the family tree, where he makes an unsettling discovery. Williams will also discover a strong family link to London despite being from Bury in the episode set to air on Monday, 12 May. Read more: Ross Kemp uncovers family shipwreck drama in Who Do You Think You Are? Mishal Husain delighted by special Who Do You Think You Are? discovery Andrew Garfield in tears over ancestor's role in real-life Monuments Men The actor and performer's father is from Jamaica, but despite having visited the country before, he was upfront about his discomfort at being a tourist there because of Jamaican laws around LGBTQ+ people. He said that he was proud of his Jamaican heritage, but added: "I've always felt like it's hard to love somewhere where they don't love you back." Williams does visit Jamaica, but is tearful over the sobering news that his three-times great-grandmother and her family were enslaved from Africa, with even a four-month-old baby ancestor listed in the slave register for the plantation where they were held. Reflecting on the news, he said: "I'm feeling a mixture of feelings really, like a bag of feelings. When you're a person of colour you always know that that is probably the eventuality. But when you have it all spelled out to you that your family would have been actually think about it and know their names and know that there were children growing up in it. "There's so much Black power in that and I don't think, I've been really, really proud of being a person of colour and really leaning into I'm a beautiful Black man and I'm proud to have come from people who went through that and came through the other side. Now I'm going to cry." He tearfully continued: "It's really beautiful and it's important that we don't forget because it's real and it happened and it was sad and I'm sure it was awful. But we made it here and my family is actually bonkers but they're amazing. There's so many of us and I really hope that whatever they went through, we were kind of worth it, you know. I will look back at this experience for sure and be really happy and really proud of the family that came before me." While the star was born in Bury, he has spoken in the past about moving to London at the age of 12 to pursue his dream of musical theatre after being cast in the starring role in Billy Elliott the Musical. Williams, who has also starred in Everybody's Talking About Jamie and Titanique, said that he had immediately felt at home in London after feeling uncomfortable about his sexuality in his hometown. He said at the start of the episode: "If there's history of my family in London, that's kind of iconic because it was the first place that accepted me." Uncovering a strong family link on his mother's side to both East and South London, he had a brief moment of panic over the news that his five-times great-grandfather had been sent to prison. He asked: "Did he kill someone? I was like oh my gosh, not a murderer!" but found out that his ancestor had actually been sent to debtors' prison. Williams was thrilled by the news that one relative had worked as a piano tuner in Golden Square, and beamed as he said: "I felt at home anyway, but now I'm like, this is just home." Who Do You Think You Are? airs on BBC One at 9pm on Mondays.
Wales Online
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Strictly Come Dancing star Layton Williams in tears as he uncovers harrowing family truth
Strictly Come Dancing star Layton Williams in tears as he uncovers harrowing family truth Layton Williams, who reached the finals of Strictly Come Dancing in 2023, was left in tears after discovering his ancestors were enslaved children in Jamaica Layton Williams appears on BBC's Who Do You Think You Are? Layton Williams, known for his appearances on Strictly Come Dancing, was taken aback to learn that his ancestors were enslaved children in Jamaica while delving into his family history on the TV programme Who Do You Think You Are? The 30-year-old actor and singer admitted that this was a discovery he had always dreaded. He expressed: "When you are a person of colour you always know that that is probably the eventuality.. to actually have it all spelled out to you that your family would have been slaves." Layton, currently narrating the new series of I Kissed A Boy on BBC Three, has become a recognisable figure after roles in West End productions Billy Elliott and Everyone's Talking About Jamie, a part in the BBC comedy Bad Education, and making it to the Strictly finals in 2023. He chose to take part in the BBC genealogy show Who Do You Think You Are? set to air tonight, as he was keen to uncover more about his roots, something he confessed he had "never given much thought," according to the Mirror. Born in Bury, Greater Manchester in 1994, Layton and his three siblings were mainly brought up by their mother Michelle, with assistance from his grandparents. His father Prince, who was of Jamaican heritage, left the family home when Layton was young. Layton was almost in tears after finding out a harrowing family truth (Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC / Wall to Wall / Stephen Perry ) Article continues below BBC shows hit by Eurovision 2025 schedule chaos as popular programme moved READ MORE: Layton revealed: "I saw Dad here and there on the weekends. He is a character but he wasn't very present in my life. We are not close like that but I definitely see a lot of myself in him." In an investigation into his family background, the openly gay artist took a trip to Jamaica to uncover his father's roots. He commented on the challenges encountered due to the country's laws on LGBTQ+ rights, stating: "I am proud to have Jamaican roots and I have lots of family there but the laws there aren't very accepting to the queer community so I have always felt like it's hard to love somewhere they don't love you back." Layton wanted to explore his heritage (Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC / Wall to Wall / Stephen Perry ) His exploration led to the discovery of an unsettling aspect of his family tree: a great-great-great grandfather named Alexander Denton who is believed to have endured childhood slavery. Historical records from 1825 called Baptism of Slaves, show an entry for an individual with the same name as his ancestor, along with a twin sister named Peggy, noted as Creole - indicating birth in Jamaica and aged merely four months old at the time. The register outlined them as property of Battersea Plantation, and further documentation, A Return of Slaves in 1826, credited them as "in the possession of owner Francis Hall" in the Manchester parish. William and Matilda Downing, Layton's two times great grandparents on their wedding day (Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC / Wall to Wall / Tracy Sidebottom / Tracy Sidebottom ) Considering slavery wasn't abolished in Jamaica until 1834, these details suggest they suffered nine years of bondage. Reflecting upon this ancestral truth, Layton conveyed his discomfort vividly: "I can feel it. It is him. Oh God. It makes me feel so uncomfortable even reading it. So the whole beginning of their childhood, they were enslaved." The historical records illuminate the story of the twins' great-great-grandmother, Jessy, a direct ancestor of Layton, whose African heritage is now confirmed. Following emancipation, many former slaves like her managed to acquire their own freeholds. Clarence and Berneta, Layton's great grandparents, on their wedding day, in black and white (Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC / Wall to Wall / Jennifer Williams / Jennifer Williams ) The archives disclosed that Alexander became a labourer and married Elizabeth Richards in 1862 in the village of Porus. Reflecting on his family history, Layton expressed: "It is a good thing. It is like - we just want space for us away from the madness to be with our families so we don't have to answer to anyone. My grandad Clarence was always drilling this into me 'Buy your own property and save your money'. I guess it's from a history of this and this is what they had to do to truly be free." At the end of his emotional journey on the television series, Layton admitted that confronting the "eventuality" that his ancestors were enslaved was a heavy burden. He shared: "When you are a person of colour you always know that that is probably the eventuality but when you actually have it all spelled out to you that your family would have been slaves, quite frankly, to actually think about it and to really know their names and know that they were children growing up in it, there is so much black power in that." Layton continued, voicing a burgeoning sense of pride: "I don't think I have been really, really proud of being a person of colour and really leaning into like .. I'm like a beautiful black man and I am proud to have come from people who went through that but came through the other side. "Now I am gonna cry. It's really beautiful and important that we don't forget because it's real and it happened and it was sad. I am sure it was awful but we made it here and my family are bonkers but they are amazing. "There are so many of us and I really really hope that whatever they went through ...like we were kind of worth it. I will look back at this experience and I will be really happy and really proud of the family that came before me." Delving into his mother's roots on the programme, Layton uncovers ties beyond his Bury origins, tracing connections to London, which stands as his current home. He discovers an ancestor six generations past, Edward Downing Snr, a piano tuner by trade who lived in prestigious Golden Square. Reflecting on this link, Layton shares: "The area is still a hub for music. The fact he used to be part of a music scene feels magical and it makes sense why I am here. I always felt at home in London. It is the place that accepted me." Article continues below Who Do You Think You Are? airs on BBC One at 9pm tonight and I Kissed A Boy is available to watch on BBC iPlayer now
